Several months ago, we were coming back to Wichita from Houston as a family. We stopped at a Whataburger for lunch in Texas and as usual my little ones were making their presence known in the restaurant. :)

Guy was leading them to the table as I was getting the drinks and condiments. As I was doing this, a cowboy-like man in his 50s came up next to me. He watched me as I gave my boys the shush sign from across the restaurant.

He then said to me, “So those are your little ones? They’re cute.”

Me: “Yes, they are. And as you can see, they’re a little wild.”

Cowboy: “Awwwww, they’re fine. I had two of my own. Just enjoy them.”

Me: “I do. I just hope one day I can get them tamed.”

And then he looked at me straight in the eyes and with the sweetest cowboy smile ever said something I’ll never forget,

“Oh, don’t worry now. It’ll all be alright in the end.”

For some reason, his quiet and assuring statement without any other knowledge of my life was so believable AND comforting.

Normally, advice so simple might annoy me. But in this case, I felt peace with the cowboy’s words.

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I am a worrier. By nature, it is easy for me. My mind likes to run. And think. Sometimes it seems like just the right amount but sometimes it is just too darn much for my own good. And it is hard to stop (particularly if it involves my kids).

In those moments, when the worry takes over, I have to consciously take a step back from it. Because if I don’t, it will go on and on and on. To a point of exhaustion.

And the funny thing about worry is that sometimes it isn’t based on reality, but sometimes it is. Your worst fear never happens. Or your worst fear does come true. And in those times, it is hard to manage concerns.

There is one thing and one thing only that helps me.

Prayer.

I have been known to call up my sister or mom or friends that pray and say, “Pray for me now! I need it.”

And tonight was one of those nights. And as always, it worked. My sweet sister came to my rescue. Like she always does.

And God did His thing. Like He always does. And it hit me, He is like the cowboy. When I pray, my worry is relieved. It’s like he says to me,

“Oh, don’t worry now. It’ll all be alright in the end.”

And even though I don’t understand it, I believe him.

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I’m curious to hear from you. Can you relate? If not, how do get over your worry? What is most effective for you? Write a comment on the blog or Facebook. I want to hear your tactics.

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